Pie or cake cutter



Aug. 6, 1935. A. .'J. scALlsE PIE OR CAKE CUTTER Filed Dec. ll, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 n @MQ W EQ e im www.. 0 a fN T d P f m WJ. r A

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Aug. 6, V1935. A, 1 SCALlsE 2,010,379

PIE 0R CAKE CUTTER Filed neg. 11, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 2` ATTOP/VEYJ:

Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEY 7 Claims.

The invention relates to pie or cake cutters Outer end of the stem. A screw D having a large suitable for use in hotels and restaurants where large quantities oi such edibles are served in equal portions.

The particular objects of the invention are to provide a cutting implement in which all portions are constructed of sheet metal and the cost of material and labor in producing the same is thereby greatly reduced.

-The present invention is in part a substitution of my prior application, Serial No. 643,645, led November 2l, 1932. Additional objects and advantages appear in the following description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter' fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the in.- vention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the device shown in the folded position; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device in the open position; Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the upper sliding hub and attached links and stem; Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the lower hub and attached links, and stem; Fig. 5 is a plan thereof; Figs. 6 and 69v show the details of the forked pins; Fig. 6b illustrates the clamping screw; Fig. 7 is a plan of the sheet metal pattern from which the handle is constructed; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the stem; Fig. 9 is an edge elevation of one of the links; Fig. 1) is a plan of the sheet metal pattern from which the links are constructed; Fig. 11 is a plan of the handle; Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the lower part of the handle and upper hub showing the operating handle; Fig. 13 is a vertical section of the upper part of the handle; Fig. 14 is an elevation of the device showing a sleeve locking the blades in the open position; Fig, 15 illustrates the device without the spring; Figs. 16, 17 and 18 are sectional views of the hub parts; Fig. 19 is a vertical section showing a sleeve for operating the blades.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, A represents a central stem having a separate pointed lower extremity B. C is a tubular handle therefor composed of rolled sheet metal having its outer end split into segmental forms C that are bent to form a crowned extremity, and the segments engage with the shoulder A upon the head may be employed to secure the handle upon the stem. E and F are upper and lower hollow sheet metal hubs, respectively.

The hubs for convenience in construction are each formed in two portions E, Ef and F, F', respectively, These portions are attached together by means of longitudinal pins G, G', and set screws H, H' respectively.

In Figs. 16, 17 and 18, the construction of the hub parts is illustrated clearly. V

The pins G, in the upper hub comprise forked bearings in which the upper ends of the links I, I are pivoted, the lower ends of which are pivoted in the upper sides o the cutting blades J, J at K, K respectively.

The pins G', G' in the lower hub F, comprise forked bearings in whichthe inner ends of the blades J, J are pivoted, the blades and links are constructed of sheet metal, and the links may be longitudinally folded as shown in Figs. 9 and l0 to give them increased rigidity.

The pointed extremity B of the stem is provided with a reduced screw threaded extension B1, and with a shoulder B2, between which end the shoul- V,der A2., upon the stem the lower portion of the Ahub F, .1S clamped thus securing the stein A; the

hub F, and the handle B', securely together.

In Fig. 5 is shown a plan of one of the hubs. Here series of spaced openings P, P' are shown, one series P, serving for the insertion of four pins and the other series P', serving for the insertion of six pins and the attachment of a corresponding number of blades, so that by substitution and proper spacing of blades the pie and cake can be cut into four or six pieces as may be desired. They are detachable and secured in adjusted position by means of the set screws described, and so any one of them can readily be attached and removed. A spring L may be employed to return the parts to a folded position, shown in Fig. l. The blades may be operated to assume the open position by means of the handhold N, and after folding it may be locked upon the tubular handle C, by means of the horizontal pin N', and a spring keeper N2, or they may be operated by means of a sleeve O, which may be slidably movable over the handle and Will provide a resilient movement that cannot jam the parts, as shown in Fig. 19, or the handhold may be locked in the open posi tion of the blades by means of a locking screw O', thus making the parts immovable on each other as shown in Fig. 14, or alternatively, a nger R pivoted on the pin R' in the handle C may be employed for locking the sleeve O in its lowermost position. The locking screw O may also be used to lock the sleeve O in its uppermost position. A small spring S bearing against the free end of the finger R serves to urge the latter into an outward position. The operator may press the i'lnger R into its receiving recess T in the handle C when it is desired to raise the sleeve O.

In this manner the initial cost is much reduced and the eiciency of the device is increased.

The cost of the device may be still further reduced by constructing the handle C of bakelite or other cheap material.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a pie and cake cutter in combination, a central stem having a detachable pointed lower extremity, a tubular sheet metal handle secured to the upper end thereof, a lower xed sheet metal hub, formed in upper and lower portions, said lower portion being clamped between the lower end of said stem and said pointed extremity, an upper sheet metal hub constructed in two portions and slidable on said stem, pins having forked heads passing into said hub portions, and fastening means therefor, cutting blades pivoted in the forks of said lower hub, links connecting the forks in said upper hub with the upper edges of said blades at points spaced from said pivotal points, and a return spring for said upper hub and blades.

2. In a pie and cake cutter in combination, a central stem having a detachable pointed lower extremity, a tubular sheet metal handle secured to the upper end thereof, a lower xed sheet metal hub, formed in upper and lower portions, said lower portion being clamped between the lower end of said stem and said pointed extremity, an upper sheet metal hub constructed in two portions and slidable on said stem, pins having forked heads passing into said hub portions, and fastening means therefor, cutting blades pivoted in the forks of said lower hub, links connecting the forks in said upper hub with the upper edges of said blades at points spaced from said pivotal points.

3. In a device of the character described, a oentral stem, and a movable upper and xed lower hollow sheet metal hub thereon, each hub being composed of two portions connected together, and spaced pins passing through said hubs, said pins being provided with forked heads, and means for clamping said pins and hub portions together.

4, A hub for the stem of a pie and cake cutter comprising in combination with said stem a hollow body sleeved over said stem, and formed in separate upper and lower sections, and vertical pins passing through the walls of said sections, said pins being provided with forked extremities,

Y and means for clamping said pins and hub sections together.

5. A fixed hub for the stem of a pie and cake cutter, comprising in combination with said stem, a hollow sheet metal stamping sleeved over said stem, said hub being constructed in upper and lower sections, a pointed extremity for said stem between which and said stem said lower hub section is secured, and blade holding pins passing through both of said hub sections, and clamping means therefor and for said sections.

6. A sheet metal handle for the stem of a pie and cake cutter comprising in combination with said stem a metal stamping of tubular form sleeved over the outer ends of said stem, the extremities of said handle being radially cut away to permit of their being bent over into contact with said stem, and securing means therefor.

7. A hub for the stem of a pie and cake cutter comprising in combination with said stem, a hollow metal stamping composed of upper and lower sections, and sleeved over said stem, blade attaching means passing through both sections, and blades operatively connected to said blade attaching means, said blade attaching means being cireumferentially adjustable in said hub, to permit of the attachment of a variable number of blades thereto.

ANTHONY J. SCALISE. 

